Coach Gary Kubiak said after practice today the Texans are treating the first three quarters of Saturday's game at San Francisco like a regular-season game.

Most of the starters will play three quarters, including running back Arian Foster, who has played fewer than two quarters so far.

"Arian needs to work, so the first group's going to play three quarters," Kubiak said. "That means Derrick (Ward) and (Ben) Tate will spell him, and one of those guys will take the fourth quarter. Like I said, there's still plenty of balls to be carried between now and opening day, and we'll see how it pans out.

"I'm interested to see both groups go back out there together. We will spot play some guys in the first three quarters, as if we were playing a regular season game, so we will do that like we operate on opening day. That'll be interesting to see how those guys come in and swap play with the ones. Just to get a bunch of reps, we need to go out there and get 45, 50 snaps as an offense and defense and see how we do."

Kubiak isn't sure if inside linebacker DeMeco Ryans (elbow) and nose tackle Earl Mitchell (knee) will play. He hopes to get back Ryans, who missed the victory over New Orleans.

"There's a chance with both of them," he said. "DeMeco's doing a lot better today. He's got his flexibility back. I didn't want him out here because we were beating on each other a little bit today, so I'm trying to be smart. We'll see how he is tomorrow."